There have been a few queries recently about setting homework for EFL students, so this week we are going to look at why homework is important for language learners, how to go about setting homework tasks, and some ways of encouraging completion of homework assignments.
Okay, we admit it. Here at Teacher-Toolkit we just love posters! There are loads of reasons why posters in the EFL or ESOL classroom are a great idea. This week we want to tell you why and to share our love of posters with you.
The beginning of a new term can be a bit daunting for learners, even at the best of times - and this year, with so much disruption and time spent away from school and regular school routines, even more so. In this blog, we’re going to share some fun ice-breakers and ‘getting to know you’ activities that will banish those stresses and help learners enjoy getting back into the swing of things.
As English teachers, speaking and listening are two of the principle skills we encourage in our classrooms. In present circumstances, the safe space we provide for those activities may be crucial in helping students come to terms with what has happened to them during the pandemic and re-adapt to life in school. So what are the educational and psychological impacts of the COVID pandemic on students learning English as a second or foreign language and what can we do to help them?
I’ve been asked about some recommendations for some teen and young adult fiction to freshen up the classroom-taught titles. I always recommend extensive reading for EFL students as well as students in mainstream education, as it is a great way of extending their vocabulary, and fiction is a great place to start.
As we prepare to head back for a new term, most teachers with be meeting at least one new class for the first time. A first meeting is a chance for us to make a good first impression, to establish expectations and to set the tone for the classes to come. Below are our top tips for EFL teachers who are starting a new term in a few weeks’ time.
Pronunciation is often neglected by teachers of English language. Sometimes it is not taught at all and, when it is, it is often relegated to the status of an optional extra. Certainly, the time devoted to pronunciation work is insignificant when compared to the time spent on grammar, vocabulary-building and communication activities.
When I work with English teachers, I’m often asked for book recommendations. Sometimes people want follow-up reading related to the training we’ve been doing, or to their professional development. However, I’m just as often asked whether there are any books I can recommend for their personal enjoyment.
This blog provides a review of the new book An Introduction to Evidence-Based Teaching in the English Language Classroom: Theory and Practice by Carol Lethaby, Russell Mayne and Patricia Harries. The book provides an overview of the existing evidence relating to the effectiveness of various common practices in English Language Teaching.
Lesson planning is an important part of teaching, but there are so many options when writing one that it can become overwhelming. In this blog we discuss why we write lesson plans, who we might write them for and what they should include. There is also a FREE lesson plan template and sample for you to download and edit.
There are plenty of online resources and videos which give students advice on how to prepare for oral English exams and I have written a summary of the top ten tips. However, the main part of this post will be focused on how we as teachers can ensure that our students are prepared for, and are confident in, the skills needed to negotiate presentations and oral exams.
With exam season coming up, we take a look at how you can help your students prepare for reading exams. From knowing the exam basics, developing their reading skills and strategies, to ensuring they have some targeted exam practise. All this gives your students the best chance to perform well in their next reading exam.
